Week 13 preview, picks vs. the unfold


Each week all through the season we’ll offer you a school soccer viewing information by highlighting the 5 greatest video games of the approaching weekend. We’ll choose these 5 video games in opposition to the unfold and spotlight another matchups that caught our eye from a betting perspective.

Welcome to Thanksgiving weekend, everybody.

In a standard school soccer season, we’d be wrapping up the common season with a slew of big-time rivalry video games doubtlessly deciding the postseason fates of a number of groups. Issues look completely different this 12 months, however there are nonetheless rivalry video games and matchups with vital implications on the docket over the subsequent few days as you take pleasure in your Turkey Day leftovers.

There are two clear high video games on Friday, however Saturday’s slate has intrigue from the potential Michigan vs. Penn State trainwreck at midday by way of a rapidly organized Utah-Washington Pac-12 After Darkish matchup late at night time.

(Observe: All instances ET, level spreads/totals from BetMGM)

No. 13 Iowa State at No. 17 Texas

Time: Midday (Friday) | TV: ABC | Line: Texas -1.5 | Complete: 56.5

Iowa State has its sights on the primary Large 12 title in program historical past, and a win over Texas would put the Cyclones on the precipice of a spot within the convention title sport. Coming into Friday’s sport, ISU is atop the Large 12 standings at 6-1 with 4 two-loss groups a sport behind. No. 13 within the preliminary School Soccer Playoff rankings, ISU has received three straight with Heisman Trophy candidate Breece Corridor main the best way. Corridor leads the nation in speeding and is averaging 146.1 yards per sport.

On the Texas facet, Friday’s sport is just about a must-win to maintain its Large 12 title hopes alive. With a loss, Texas would lose tiebreaker situations to each Iowa State and Oklahoma if it got here all the way down to that on the finish of the 12 months. A win would give UT tiebreaker benefits over each ISU and Oklahoma State (who UT beat earlier this 12 months) if there are three or 4 groups tied atop the standings at 7-2. Like Iowa State, Texas is at the moment on a three-game win streak. However the Longhorns haven’t performed since Nov. 7 after final week’s sport in opposition to Kansas was postponed.

Sam Cooper: Iowa State +1.5, Nick Bromberg: Iowa State +1.5

No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 19 North Carolina

Time: 3:30 p.m. (Friday) | TV: ABC | Line: Notre Dame -5.5 | Complete: 67.5

Notre Dame handed its greatest take a look at of the 12 months by beating No. 1 Clemson after which prevented the following letdown with a 45-31 street win over Boston School. Coming off a bye week, the second-ranked Irish now should go on the street to face North Carolina, a workforce with one of many high offenses within the nation.

And whereas Notre Dame shall be with out two of its beginning linemen — middle Jarrett Patterson and guard Tommy Kraemer — North Carolina might be getting a few of its injured gamers again. Extensive receiver Beau Corrales, middle Brian Anderson and cornerback Storm Duck all returned to follow this week and are thought-about gametime selections on Friday. The UNC offense, led by QB Sam Howell and the RB duo of Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, shall be a giant take a look at for the heralded Notre Dame protection.

Sam: Notre Dame -5.5, Nick: Notre Dame -5.5

No. 22 Auburn at No. 1 Alabama

Time: 3:30 p.m. | TV: CBS | Line: Alabama -25 | Complete: 62.5

Auburn has upset Alabama within the Iron Bowl in two of the previous three seasons. Can it occur once more? This 12 months, the Tigers are ranked No. 22 and are using a three-game successful streak. Auburn had a three-week layoff earlier than returning to motion final week with a 31-17 win over Tennessee, a sport that flipped on a 100-yard pick-six by Smoke Monday late within the third quarter. Auburn has relied on its floor sport throughout its successful streak, however accidents alongside the offensive line and to high operating again Tank Bigsby loom massive in opposition to Alabama.

On the Alabama facet, Nick Saban is not going to be on the sideline after testing optimistic for COVID-19. As an alternative, it will likely be offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian calling the photographs on Saturday. Sarkisian’s offense has been rolling all 12 months lengthy. The Tide are placing up 49.4 factors and 548.6 yards per sport, good for No. 3 and No. 6 within the nation, respectively. Mac Jones has emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback whereas RB Najee Harris and WR DeVonta Smith have put up massive numbers as effectively. After lacking the CFP final 12 months, Alabama seems to be like a workforce on a mission.

Sam: Auburn +25, Nick: Alabama -25

Colorado at No. 18 USC

Time: 3:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: USC -11.5 | Complete: 64.5

The Pac-12’s return to soccer hasn’t precisely gone easily. The convention has seen an array of cancellations, together with beloved rivalry video games like this week’s Apple Cup. Solely 4 of the league’s groups have managed to play three video games in three weeks. USC is one in every of them, and the Trojans are 3-0. The primary two wins — over Arizona State and Arizona — took some late-game drama. Final week’s win over Utah was a bit extra typical, although it was the primary sport of the 12 months for the Utes.

USC is sitting fairly within the South division, however Saturday’s opponent, Colorado, has emerged because the Trojans’ high challenger up to now. Of their first 12 months beneath Karl Dorrell, the Buffs are off to a 2-0 begin with wins over UCLA and Stanford. Colorado has been led offensively by QB Sam Noyer and RB Jarek Broussard. Noyer’s story is a notable one. Noyer was moved to security by the earlier employees. Itching for an opportunity to play QB, Noyer entered the switch portal within the offseason, however was satisfied to come back again by Dorrell. Now he has an opportunity to guide his workforce into first place within the South.

Sam: USC -11.5, Nick: USC -11.5

No. 11 Oklahoma at West Virginia

Time: 7:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: Oklahoma -11 | Complete: 54.5

Oklahoma shockingly misplaced its first two Large 12 video games of the 12 months however hasn’t misplaced since. The Sooners dominated Oklahoma State final week 41-13. Spencer Rattler had an amazing sport, throwing 4 landing passes whereas additionally notching a rating on the bottom, however the enchancment of the OU protection might have been essentially the most notable facet of the workforce’s turnaround. OU restricted the Cowboys to only 246 yards of offense within the win. The return of Ronnie Perkins on the defensive position has been particularly impactful, and now the Sooners are in putting distance of one other journey to the Large 12 title sport.

West Virginia received’t be a pushover for Oklahoma. The Mountaineers are 5-3 on the 12 months with a 4-3 mark in Large 12 play. Whereas Jarret Doege and Leddie Brown have had sturdy seasons offensively, WVU has quietly been taking part in among the greatest protection in all of faculty soccer this 12 months. WVU at the moment ranks fourth within the nation in complete protection, permitting a median of simply 274 yards per sport. The Mountaineers are an ideal 5-0 at residence this 12 months, too.

Sam: Oklahoma -11, Nick: Oklahoma -11

Head-to-head ATS: Sam: 28-26, Nick: 23-31

Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley talks with Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) during an NCAA college football game against Kansas in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley talks with Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) throughout an NCAA school soccer sport in opposition to Kansas in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photograph/Sue Ogrocki)

Week 13’s greatest bets

Nick Bromberg (Final week: 1-0-1, Total: 18-11-2)

New Mexico at Utah State: Should you’re fixing for soccer on Thanksgiving night time with out the Ravens and Steelers, that is your different. Who doesn’t wish to watch a battle of winless Mountain West groups? Utah State is likely one of the worst groups within the nation. So I’m taking the Lobos. Decide: New Mexico -6.5

Nebraska at No. 24 Iowa: I don’t belief Nebraska in any respect. In the meantime, Iowa has received its final three video games by no less than 20 factors after opening the season with two losses by a mixed 5 factors. Whereas each of those groups beat Penn State, Iowa did it extra convincingly. That’s my skilled breakdown. Decide: Iowa -13.5

Maryland at No. 12 Indiana: The Hoosiers have hit the over in 4 of 5 video games this season whereas Maryland is coming off a two-week break due to a COVID-19 outbreak. With Maryland’s lengthy layoff and a comparatively excessive complete on this one due to the best way Indiana video games have gone this season, the beneath feels just like the play. Decide: Below 62.5

Sam Cooper (Final week: 1-2, Total: 21-15)

No. 13 Iowa State at No. 17 Texas: This simply looks like a bodily sport the place defenses shall be content material to permit beneath stuff to keep away from permitting massive performs. Iowa State has hit chunk performs with Breece Corridor all 12 months lengthy whereas Texas surprisingly leads the Large 12 in scrimmage performs of 40-plus yards. This matchup has usually featured low-scoring video games. Prior to now 5 seasons, ISU-UT video games have gone beneath the whole by a median of 27 factors. Decide: Below 56.5

Kentucky at No. 6 Florida: I don’t count on Kentucky to lose by 60 prefer it did final week in opposition to Alabama, however I additionally don’t suppose UK has sufficient firepower on both facet of the ball to comprise Florida’s offense or rating sufficient to maintain this throughout the quantity. UF got here out a bit flat vs. Vanderbilt final week, so I’m anticipating Dan Mullen’s workforce to roll this week. Decide: Florida -22.5

NC State at Syracuse: I’m not going to overthink this one. Syracuse is up there with Kansas among the many worst Energy 5 groups within the nation. Syracuse was shutout by Louisville final week and gained solely 137 yards within the course of. NC State’s offense is able to placing up massive numbers, so I don’t suppose the Wolfpack can have a lot of a difficulty overlaying right here. Decide: NC State -14

For different Week 13 picks from Sam Cooper, click on right here.

For Week 13 picks from Dan Wetzel, Pete Thamel and Pat Forde, subscribe to the Yahoo Sports activities School Podcast.

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